Disposal of obsolete warships - charting the challenges. CMDR Steve Cole, RANR Navy Environment Manager Navy Strategic Command Canberra

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1 Disposal of obsolete warships - charting the challenges CMDR Steve Cole, RANR Navy Environment Manager Navy Strategic Command Canberra

Case Study ex FNS Clemenceau Decommissioned 1997 disposed of for scrapping in France. 2003 Navy resumed vessel from Spanish company. Two year legal battle in French courts.

2 Case Study ex FNS Clemenceau Decommissioned 1997 disposed of for scrapping in France Navy resumed vessel from Spanish company. Two year legal battle in French courts. Vessel towed to India for scrapping Passage through Suez canal delayed by Egyptian Govt. 3 month tow. Indian Government challenged the entry of the vessel. FNS Clemenceau

Vessel towed to India for scrapping 2005.

3 Case Study ex FNS Clemenceau French Navy argued that vessel not subject to Basel Convention as it is a warship. Court challenge reignited in France over poorly estimated asbestos content ca. ( tonnes). French president ordered vessel to be returned to France. Returned to France May 2006 after tow around Africa. Clemenceau currently being dismantled in the United Kingdom. Greenpeace protester aboard Clemenceau

French president ordered vessel to be returned to France.

4 Disposal of obsolete ships Management issues. Disposal options. Future. ex USS Coral Sea (CV 43)

5 Disposal issues OHS Old ships by nature are obsolete technology. Contain a range of hazardous materials and polluting chemicals. Ships often in poor material state. Closed compartments create toxic gas hazards. Inactive vessels deteriorate rapidly without ongoing crew maintenance. Military vessel awaiting final disposal

Ships often in poor material state. Closed compartments create toxic gas hazards.

6 Disposal issues - biosecurity Hull biofouling accumulates rapidly on inactive vessel. May affect ability to move ship to destination. Authorities may require the vessels hull to be cleaned. Bird wastes create biohazard, and can encourage vermin infestation.

7 Disposal issues - site contamination Biocide leaching from antifouling paints can cause site contamination. Delamination of antifouling paint and deck/uppers paint will cause sediment contamination. Rainwater runoff and waste discharges can contaminate site and surrounding waters. ex-royal Navy vessel Sir Lancelot.

Delamination of antifouling paint and deck/uppers paint will cause sediment

8 Disposal issues - maintenance Ship must be maintained ready for tow. Cannibalisation for spares can lead to ship becoming unseaworthy even for tow, limiting disposal options. Security risk from vandalism (fire, flood, OHS). Need for ongoing monitoring of lines and bilges. Emergency response planning. or this will happen

limiting disposal options. Security risk from vandalism (fire, flood, OHS).

9 Disposal options Sale/gift for refit/reuse. Museum. Scrapping. Sea dumping (artificial reef, dive wreck, target). USN mothballed fleet - some 350 vessels for disposal - many in poor material state

10 Sale or gift for refit/reuse Old ships with obsolete technology. Most are beyond economic reuse. Refit and reconfiguration is costly. Successful reuse is rare for military vessels. ex- HMAS Jervis Bay as ferry ex- HMAS Stalwart at Alang Bay

11 Museum vessels Limited potential due to large maintenance costs. Only iconic vessels, and in very small numbers. Some risks if proponent fails. Ex- HMA Ships Vampire and Onslow in Sydney

12 Ship scrapping Almost all ocean going vessels are scrapped in third world countries regardless of origin. Currently 50% of ships scrapped at Alang Bay in India. Recycling rate is high but environmental cost is too. Ships being scrapped in Pakistan

Currently 50% of ships scrapped at Alang Bay in India.

13 Ship scrapping Working conditions are hazardous and unhealthy. Worker accident rate is high. Local environmental impacts are high. Cost effectiveness is marginal. - but Pakistan gets 70% of steel from scrapping ships.

14 Disposal of obsolete vessels - Scrapping Basel Convention regulates the import and export of hazardous material. Designed to protect workers and the environment in third world countries receiving ships. Scrapping is costly and resource intensive if environmental and health risks are addressed. Significant proportion of vessel ends up as landfill. High cost and low return on investment. ex HMA Ships Whyalla and Cessnock

Scrapping is costly and resource intensive if environmental and health risks are addressed.

15 Disposal of obsolete vessels - Scrapping Scrapping in-country can be done cost effectively and in a compliant manner. Novel solutions can substantially reduce costs. Bow of ex-mv Fedra scrapped at Gibraltar in 2008

16 Disposal of obsolete vessels - Sea dumping Disposal of vessels at sea may be done for a range of reasons including: - Commonly for re-use as a dive site or fish attracting device. - (rarely) to reduce environmental risks during an emergency. - (rarely) if no other disposal option available. - (rarely) for target practise. In all cases the requirements of the London Convention must be met. ex HMAS Brisbane

- (rarely) to reduce environmental risks during an emergency.

17 Sea dumping of ships - Advantages Sea dumping as dive wrecks or fish attracting devices remains a cost effective method of disposal. Vessel takes on new role as tourist destination with significant revenue potential for local economy. Represents a recycling option to a new use. Vessel retains heritage values in new role. Ex- HMAS Swan, Perth WA

Vessel takes on new role as tourist destination with significant revenue potential for

18 Sea dumping of ships - Disadvantages Limited control over process. Highly contentious decision on final recipient. Only suitable for iconic vessel such as destroyers. Defence retains interest - significant reputation issues Ex- HMAS PERTH, Albany WA

Only suitable for iconic vessel such as destroyers.

19 Sea dumping of ships - Preparation High cost of preparation ca. $6-7 million for a frigate. Safety of divers crucial. Removal of entanglement hazards.

20 Sea dumping of ships - Preparation Removal of access hazards. Enlargement of compartment exits. Removal of internal bulkheads and buoyant material.

21 Disposal of obsolete vessels - Future - Incorporate Environmental Compliance during build... Cradle to grave holistic management approach. Hazardous materials register to facilitate disposal. Management of cultural heritage significance.

22 Disposal of obsolete warships QUESTIONS?

Navy Inactive Ships Program

Navy Inactive Ships Program EX-ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968) Frequently Asked Questions STATUS OF THE SHIP AND PROJECT SUMMARY Q. What is the current status of ex-arthur W. RADFORD? A. Ex-ARTHUR W. RADFORD was decommissioned on March